Aurora, Naperville nursing students say life was changed by trip to Kenya

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Updated: November 30, 2011 12:38AM

On a recent trip to Africa, Auroran Meredith Spearman admitted she took about 3,000 photos in 12 days.

Spearman, however, wasn’t there on vacation. The 2005 Waubonsie Valley grad was in Kenya for an international nursing trip with her school, Chamberlain College of Nursing in Addison.

She and fellow student Ana Chala visited the impoverished country with other students and faculty members to provide much-needed medical help.

It was a life-changing experience for both Spearman and Chala.

“This trip has been the single most beneficial experience of my life,” said Spearman, a 24-year-old who will graduate in 2012. “I have gained a sense of perspective that allows me to be a better nurse and, I hope, a better person.”

Before Chala departed for the trip, her experiences growing up in South America prepared her for some of what she experienced. The 27-year-old came to the United States almost 11 years ago. She lived in Florida before moving to Naperville in 2003.

“The experiences I have had in my life and the things I observed while living in Colombia have always led me thinking that poverty is not just in my country or in one place, but it is around the world,” said Chala, who also will graduate in 2012. “Sometimes we are not able to see it. It has been my dream to go to any (place) where there are people in need to change at least one person’s life or make it a little better.”

Deciding to go

Chala met Spearman during their pediatric rotation. Chala told Spearman about the opportunity to travel to Kenya. Their trip began Aug. 27 and they returned Sept. 10.

Chala and Spearman described their feelings before departing Aurora as both exciting and nerve-wracking.

“My dream was coming true, and I felt really blessed to be a part of the program,” Chala said before leaving. “I have had a strong goal in my mind since I was little ... to have a career and be able to help out my family and other people in need...I have seen my own country (deal with) poverty, many children and families without anything to eat, (living in) little huts they made out of cardboard, metal rooftops and using plastic bags” for sleeping bags.

“I was anxious about the unknown, but mostly my ability to do right by these people, who are so in need,” Spearman added. “I worried I wouldn’t be able to rise to that need. I am deeply affected and changed by the lives I was able to touch, but I think of all the others that I could not reach.”

Initially, Spearman’s loved ones were worried about her, and there were health and safety issues that needed to be addressed, including advice on what to eat and drink, as well as the type of clothes to wear.

“My dad was terrified for my safety day-to-day. And my boyfriend would neurotically Google-search every detail about the area,” Spearman said. “I think they were all afraid for me, but they knew I had to do it.”

Changed forever

Spearman recalls her first day in Korogocho, when she stepped off the bus. Korogocho is home to one of the largest slum neighborhoods of Nairobi, Kenya. It is estimated that 150,000 to 200,000 people live there.

“A huge crowd sat silently by the entrance to the clinic,” Spearman said. “They all watched with curious eyes, like they had so many questions — but asked none. They just made way for us to enter. Their silence had nothing to do with the language barrier. It’s a sort of learned helplessness. In this place, they are forced to take what is given to them and ask no questions.”

Spearman said she learned so much about this part of the world. She saw individuals and families healed by a single act of kindness. She also witnessed evils, and noticed the abuse and abandonment of women and children that shook her to her core. It was the small acts of kindness and special moments, however, that kept her going — and will lead her back to Kenya again someday.

“Africa is a continent profoundly and desperately in need of help,” Spearman said. “I can hear Africa calling for me to return. I know I’ll go back. I feel the need to tell the world what I’ve seen.”

Chala said she experienced compassion for others in Kenya. She valued the appreciation the people had for her and the others associated with Chamberlain College of Nursing. The lessons she learned made her appreciate everything she has. The trip even inspired her to want to go back and help disadvantaged people there.

“This was my first trip, but definitely not my last one,” Chala said. “I would go back again because every single person stole a piece of my heart.”